Ja BB that Paarl site looks like it really cooks for waterbirds. The only place I've seen the Purple Heron in Kruger is crossing the Bridge into Kruger at Croc Bridge. There are a couple around here in PE as well and we met someone who says they saw one at Addo but I cant imagine where as it is very habitat specific (reeds etc)

Food: Mostly fish, frogs, small reptiles, birds and small mammalsHabitat: Inland and estuarine waters with dense reedbeds and other aquatic vegetation.Habits: Solitary feeder, wading or standing in marshy places, often with bill and neck held horizontally. Shy and seldom seen until it takes off, usually with squawk. In flight legs look very long. Feeds by day or night and roosts communally in reedbeds.

That's a young Purple heron. A bit difficult to tell it apart from the Goliath heron in a photo, but in real life the Goliath is much bigger. Purple Herons also have a dark crown and adults have a black stripe on their faces.
Nice pic

Arks, I can't comment on the first, but the2nd is s normal reed cormorant - the young ones have lighter colouring.

Thanks Karin That first one really has me

Arks, I saw a similar bird on the weekend. If you read the description "Juveniles look similar to the adults, but are paler." Now I am not sure what the definition of "paler " is, but maybe both your bird and mine are young ones?